By LeAnn McDowell

Heading to Annapolis this week? Here are a few things to check out:

Maryland Rennaissance Fair 2015-The Maryland Renaissance Festival is taking over Annapolis starting this weekend, August 29th and 30th and will continue to dominate through October 25th. The festival is the 2nd largest in the country and it’s one of Annapolis’ premier outdoor events and for many, it’s a family tradition. People converge on Annapolis from all over the world to attend the festival. Travel back to the 16th century when Revel Grove, an English village, is recreated in Crownsville. No Renaissance Festival would be complete without a king. So, Revel Grove will be occupied by King Henry VIII and his court. The king’s infamous story will be hinted at throughout the event. The event features 122 craft vendors, 48 food venues and more than 200 entertainers. There will be acrobatics, aerial silk performances, archery, jousting, magic shows, comedy, theater and much, much more. It’s opening week which means children under the age of 15 get in for free! You can still purchase tickets for this weekend, to do so, visit rennfest.com/tickets for pricing and availability. Don’t forget to wear a costume to properly assume your role as a 16th century villager!

-Tired of run of the mill tours of Annapolis? Try the Walking Ghost Tour of Annapolis this week. Spirits like to linger in historic places and Annapolis fits the bill for their hauntings. During this 90-minute tour you will learn more about Annapolis’ dark days and meet its more “spirited” residents while visiting the most haunted sites in town. You learn about Joe Morgue, a grave digger and Thomas Dance, a man who died in a less than pleasant way. There will be tales of sword fights and fatal falls and mysteries will be uncovered. By the end of the tour, your spine will be tingling and you’ll be sleeping with one eye open. It’s no wonder the tour has been voted “Best Downtown Annapolis Tour” four years in a row, including this year. You’re in for a thrilling journey, one that will put you in a spirited mood. For tour dates and times visit toursandcrawls.com

Boatyard bar and Grill-Calling all art enthusiasts! The Maryland Federation of Art is bringing you the 15th annual American Landscapes Exhibit. The exhibit features art depicting scenes from the Americas (North America, Hawaii, Central America, the Caribbean and South America) created by living artists. The Federation’s main initiative is promoting art as a part of the community and they do so by providing exhibition opportunities and professional development for upcoming artists. Discover the idyllic beauty of both natural and industrial landscapes while supporting the community! The exhibit will be recurring daily until September 13th. For more information visit mdfedart.org

-Looking for good eats this week? Visit Boatyard Bar & Grill for a versatile menu and fresh food. As its name suggests, the restaurant has all the seafood you could ever imagine: scallops, crab cakes and dip, a daily house-smoked fish special, oysters, shrimp and more. But, it also offers items like burgers and wings as well as vegetarian and gluten options. The restaurant can be described as warm and cozy with a nautical theme. The décor consists of things like fish nets, sailing flags, and miniature ships. It’s a great place to check out if you’d like a taste of the sea.